Quote Originally Posted by Queen View Post
We live in a world of ever smaller circles of exclusion.

Think about how this works with Marines, they are MARINES/Brothers in arms/Leathernecks...then the question arises about where they went to boot camp (Parris Island for "real" Marines or Sandy Eggo for "Hollywood" Marines), this is further broken down into what their military specialty is/was...if you're not a rifleman then you are a pogue (someone who isn't primarily a rifleman and who is therefore "less").

We use "circles" to exclude and include those we want to either lessen or enhance...my guess is this is usually done as a way to elevate ourselves (and those we include) above others.

It's too bad that people feel the need to do this and create disharmony or ill-will in the process.
I agree with you, life is full of "circles" to exclude and include -- to elevate and devalue ourselves and others. So, who and what is a cyclist? Is ANYone who rides a bike a cyclist? To me, that is like saying ANYone who throws a football in the backyard with their kids on Sunday afternoons is a football player; ANYone who jumps into a pool and doggie paddles across the pool length is a swimmer; ANYone who shoots hoops in their driveway is a basketball player. OK, I may be wrong, but to me, they are people having fun playing a sport, not necessarily defined by that sport. As for riding a bike, there are times when I am riding a bike and I am a bike rider -- I am goofing around with my kids in the neighborhood, riding my bike to the grocery store, or riding a smooth bike trail with my friends. Other times, I am a cyclist -- I am riding for fitness, endurance, and training. I am working hard and pushing my body to its limits (yep, give me a circle to place myself in), and I am presenting myself and my sport in the highest regard because I am maximizing my efforts and displaying respect for myself and my equipment, other people, automobiles, and the laws of my state. I am no longer "just riding my bike" but I am athlete and a professional (if only in my own mind). Yes, I am a bike rider, having fun and following the rules of the road, but I am also a cyclist because I train and work hard at riding my bike. IN MY OPINION, most everyone can ride a bike, but not everyone can be a cyclist. Ok, call me a snob, or any other form of snobbery ... I will be the first to claim it as truth ... but please don't PM me just because my "circle" is different from yours. Life is full of "circles" and that will never change.